What is Cyclonic Storm Phailin ?

Cyclone Phailin is the name given to a Tropical Cyclonic Storm expected to hit India’s east coast October 12. It originated as a depression in Gulf of Thailand and is presently over Bay of Bengal. The name Phailin, comes from a Thai word which means Sapphire.

It originated as a tropical depression along the Gulf of Thailand on October 4. On October 8, it transformed into a Storm in the Andaman Sea and subsequently Indian Meteorological Department issued a Warning and designated it as Cyclonic Storm Phailin.

The latest bulletin from IMD says that Phailin is currently over East central Bay of Bengal and would hit Indian Coastal Regions in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on the night of October 12.

It is expected to cause heavy damage to thatched huts and Breaking of tree branches causing minor damage to power and communication lines. Winds upto speed of 100 kmph is expected to flow due to the storm.

The Odisha government has issued a high alert in 13 districts ( Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jeypore, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati) and has cancelled the Dusshera holidays of employees of these districts, asking them to ensure safety of people.